Bridge Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair

In maintenance planning and execution, full consideration must be given to future expected use of each bridge, the life expectancy of the bridge, and the life-cycle cost of periodic repairs versus replacement of a bridge or its major components. The level of maintenance and programming of major repairs should be planned in consonance with future requirement for the bridge and/or planned replacement. The maintenance program should be designed to include prevention of deterioration and damage, prompt detection of deficiencies, and early accomplishment of maintenance and repairs to prevent interruptions of operations or limitation/restriction of bridge use.